On Publishing with Ken

This Week's Podcast — Ken Addresses Questions from his Listeners on Publishing a Garden Book

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I’ve published over a dozen books in my 25-year career. (Some of my covers are shown below.)
People used to come up to me when I was lecturing around the country and tell me they had a great idea for me to do for my next book. More recently, they tell me they themselves have a great idea and ask how they can get the book published. Some people ask me about self-publishing vs. traditional publishing. (This is somewhat controversial with advocates on both sides.)
Here are some of the questions that I’ll address in the podcast:
– Do specific publishers look for specific types of gardening books?
– How do you find out what topics they are shopping for, or do you pitch an idea to them without knowing that?
– How much of the concept needs to be fleshed out – a synopsis, an outline, a chapter, the whole thing?
– Do publishers want separate writers/photographers, and if yes, would it help to have a known name for either of those who is already interested in the project?

Listener Benjamin Vogt asked, “One hears about "platform" all the time, but it seems rather case-by-case as to what puts an idea or manuscript over the top and gets the green light. What kind of experience should a writer have beyond an idea? Not just gardening experience, but speaking, writing, newsletter followers, social media followers? What's more important this day and age, the words or the ability to sell those words to a proven number of people that know of the author (or is it 50/50)?”
And he adds advice from his own experience, “Enjoy banging head into wall. Never quit. Faith. Vision. Love the art more than the potential payoff.” All of this is true, and please add your comments or questions, below. I will revisit the subject in the future – I’ve only begun to talk about it.